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Tag: prayers

  • Nigeria needs prayers, says Oyedepo

    Nigeria needs prayers, says Oyedepo

    President, Living Faith Worldwide (Winners Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, has said Nigeria needs prayers, given the myriad of problems bedeviling it.

    Bishop Oyedepo, who is the Chancellor of Landmark University, spoke at Omu-Aran, Irepodun local government area, Kwara state during the maiden convocation of the institution.

    Oyedepo said 386 students would graduate in 13 programmes.

    He gave a breakdown of the graduands as:  39 First Class; 186 Second Class Upper; 152 Second Class Lower and nine Third Class.

    He said the programmes with graduating students included: Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Political Science, International Relations, Sociology and Economics.

    Others are: Industrial Physics, Industrial Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Industrial Mathematics and Computer Science.

    The cleric blamed strike in the country on corruption and mismanagement of funds.

    He challenged the country’s leaders to learn from other countries who had experienced such crises on how best to manage them.

    He said: “Industrial actions are always prompted by economic crisis or mismanagement of resources and it is a global phenomenon. All we need is for God to give our leaders more wisdom in dealing with issues before they get out of hand. It is very pathetic that a medical corps of the country will close their eye and walk out of dying patient.

    “It is inhuman. If this thing is properly managed, it would not have gotten to this level. Trade dispute is a global issue. There should not be apartheid in knowledge. If you are deficient in managing something; go find out from those who have managed it well. Nigeria needs prayers. Let me stop at that.”

    Bishop Oyedepo said strikes by various institutions, particularly, in the education sector,  were eroding the values’ and ‘killing the system’.

    He said workers should not be allowed to see strike as the only effective means through which they could get attention, because institutions would continue to employ the action, thereby, “making the system struggle to survive.”

    On Landmark’s agricultural revolution, he described “food shortage as the greatest problem” confronting Nigeria.

    He pointed out that the university was providing solutions to the food crisis through its agricultural revolution programmes designed to ensure food security for the nation and Africa continent at large.

    “Our prayer is that God should give our leaders the wisdom and direction in dealings with where our problems are, as we are faced with enormous problems. Food shortage is one of the greatest problems confronting us now. No amount of policy can stop people from importing food,” he added.

    Banning of some food items, according to him, will not ensure food sufficiency. He urged the country’s leaders to enunciate policies and programmes that would banish food shortage for good.

  • Saraki, Kwara Speaker call for prayers

    Saraki, Kwara Speaker call for prayers

    Former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki urged Nigerians yesterday to pray for the peace and stability of the country ahead of next year’s general elections.

    Dr Saraki made the call in his Eid-el-Fitri message to Nigerians.

    Also, Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Razak Atunwa urged Muslims to live in peace.

    Such virtues, he said, are the hallmarks of Ramadan and the ingredients needed to make the nation great.

    Saraki, the senator representing Kwara Central, said: “Ahead of 2015, I want to use this annual occasion to implore Nigerians not to give up in the quest for a better nation. Let’s not give in for a leadership based on sympathy and the monetary value we stand to gain but on the ground of competence and a strong will to take Nigeria to a greater height.

    “Let’s ensure we stay very united and indivisible by religious, ethnic, moral or political lines, because unity is a strong weapon for a better nation.

    “Even as I urge Islamic leaders – from the Emirs to Sheiks and Imams – to further emphasise the core themes of Islam to their followers after Ramadan. I also urge us to let our fervent prayers for Nigeria exceed Ramadan season. Let’s continue to pray for peace, restoration and stability in Nigeria, particularly as 2015 is approaching.

    “The holy month of Ramadan affords us the golden opportunity of renewal in thoughts and deeds towards our creator and humanity by prioritising core themes of Islam, which include peace, boundless love for one another, sincerity, holiness and respect for humanity.

    “Importantly, the aforementioned themes should not end with the month of Ramadan. They should be effortlessly demonstrated after Ramadan to ameliorate Nigeria’s plight and make her into a better society where her current challenges of insecurity, disrespect for rule of law, corruption among others will become things of the past.”

    The Speaker, in a statement by his media aide, Abdulrahman Sanni, urged Muslims to “use the occasion for sober reflection on issues aggravating ethno-religious and political skirmishes, insurgence, intolerant, nepotism and other factors threatening the stability and cooperate existence of a united Nigeria”.

    Atunwa counselled that as the nation prepares for another round of general elections, politicians must avoid a do-or-die politics to further strengthen the nation’s hard-won democracy.

  • Oshiomhole seeks prayers for Nigeria

    Oshiomhole seeks prayers for Nigeria

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has congratulated the Muslim ummah (community) on the successful completion on the Ramadan fast.

    In the Eid-el-Fitri message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, the governor urged Muslims to sustain godliness, charity, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation.

    He said: “The Ramadan offered Muslims another opportunity to shun evil for good; another opportunity for the faithful to remould and reshape their lives physically and spiritually to meet with the aspirations of Almighty Allah as laid down in the Holy Qur’an.

    “Having observed strictly the injunctions of Almighty Allah by self-denial through fasting and prayers and by offering Zakat (the poor due) to the less privileged, the lessons learnt during the holy month should not be lost.”

    Oshiomhole said the spiritual intercession of the Muslim ummah would remain indispensable to the nation.

    The governor urged “the faithful to continually pray for the peace, progress and stability of the nation, especially at this critical time; pray for wisdom for those in leadership positions and for continued peace, growth and tranquility in Edo State”.

    He added: “The Muslim ummah should remember that there is abundant reward in fidelity to Allah’s injunctions. I urge the faithful to sustain the acts of worship and shun all forms of evil which negate the lessons learnt during the Holy month.

    “I beseech the faithful to continue to live in peace and harmony with men of other faith in our state so that the blessings of Almighty Allah will continue to shower on us all in the state.”

  • Security crisis: Nigeria needs prayers, says Atiku

    Security crisis: Nigeria needs prayers, says Atiku

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar last night described the security challenges facing the nation as grave and strange to him.

    He said in all his years, he has never seen Nigeria undergoing the type of crisis it is experiencing at the moment.

    He pleaded with Nigerians to pray for the country more than ever before.

    Atiku, who spoke at the breaking of fast with reporters in Protea Hotel, Asokoro District in Abuja, said this is not the time to shift blame.

    He said: “This period, as far as we are concerned as Muslims, is a Holy  month dedicated to mankind, when gifts are shared and we also engage in philanthropy.

    “It is a sober month for us. I want to appeal to everybody irrespective of your religious inclination, we need to pray for the country.

    “In all my years in life, I have never seen this country facing this type of challenge. May God hear our prayer and restore our country in a path of peace.”

    Atiku, who said the session was not for political fireworks, added: “This means that we must all work together for the progress of the country irrespective of where we come from, religious inclinations and so on.

  • Ondo marks first working day of 2014 with prayers

    Ondo marks first working day of 2014 with prayers

    Not a few among government workers in Ondo State would attest to the fact that the year 2013 was not a particularly good one for them, especially the 10,000 workers that were laid off on account of age falsification.

    When 2,000 of them were recalled and told to ‘sin no more’, it was like a divine intervention and they were particularly grateful to Governor Olusegun Mimiko for the gesture.

    So, when the governor called them out on the first working day of 2014 to come and thank God for His mercies, they not only answered the call, but also listened to his admonition to them to re-dedicate themselves to serving the public and device means of generating more revenue to enable government sustain its numerous social services in the New Year.

    During their trying period running to 10 months, the workers had their salaries and other personal emoluments put on hold, making the up keep of self and families difficult.

    Speaking at the state general prayer meeting held at the Governor’s office complex in Akure, Mimiko said the drive for revenue generation became imperative considering the dwindling federal allocation to states.

    Besides, he enjoined workers to see their engagement in the public service as a special privilege which they must guard jealously by re-dedicating themselves to service and showing appreciation to God for the privilege.

    Mimiko urged them to make year 2014 a year of true service, stressing that performance indicator of workers would be prioritised this year,

    According to him, discipline in the service would also be enhanced.

    His words: “We must in the year 2014 look inward to further generate revenue that will drive some of our social services which the people of the state now consider as their entitlement.

    “For us to sustain this, we must look inward and generate revenue to drive our programmes.

    “It is important for us to re-dedicate ourselves to service, everybody that is employed must know that it’s a special privilege and you have the responsibilities to show God that you appreciate His grace in your life. When you give service to man, you are giving service to God”

    The Pastor-in-charge of Ondo Province 4 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Sanya Kolajo, at the event charged  workers to work conscientiously in the year.

    According to him, many more qualified people are out there looking for the opportunities given to them by God.

    He also offered prayers for the workforce, the state and Nigeria as a whole.

    The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ondo State chapter, Bishop Joshua Ketiku, members of the State Executive Council, top government functionaries and civil servants.

     

  • Ondo holds prayers

    Ondo holds prayers

    The Ondo State government yesterday held two interdenominational prayer sessions to prevent disasters in the state.

    This followed the death of four government officials in last Thursday’s plane crash in Lagos.

    The sessions were to end the three days fasting and prayer declared after the crash.

    Islamic and Christian clerics said the crash was a test and did not mean God has forsaken the state.

    They prayed God to wipe away the tears of the bereaved and give them reasons to rejoice.

    Chief Imams Abdulakeem Yayi Akorede (Akure), Bashir Alimi (Ondo), Abbas Abubakir (Ikare Akoko) and Ahmed Aladesawe, the chairman of the State League of Imams, prayed at the Islamic session held at the Babafunke Ajasin Auditorium in Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital.

    They prayed for peace in the state and an end to tragedies.

    The Christian prayer session was held at the State Cultural Centre in Adegbemile, Akure.

    Bishops Joshua Ketiku and Felix Adejumo delivered short sermons. Elder Tunde Adesida, Rev. Joshua Odeyemi and Ven. Nelson Fadoju, among others, led prayers for the country, the state, the bereaved families, the government and Ondo people.

    Governor Olusegun Mimiko thanked Nigerians for standing by his administration.

    He sympathised with the families of the deceased, praying God to console and provide for them.

    Mimiko said: “The duty we owe the dead is to continue to work assiduously for the development of the state. The sacrifice of the deceased will not be in vain if we all carry on undeterred by the vicissitudes of life.”

  • ‘Nigeria needs ceaseless, sustained prayers’

    ‘Nigeria needs ceaseless, sustained prayers’

    The National President of Ministers of God Prayer Network International (MGPNI), an intercessory interdominational group, Rev. (Mrs.) Bola Oyegbami, has reiterated the calls for more sustained prayers for the redemption of the nation.

    She said prayer is the only option left for Nigerians to explore after various efforts have failed to fix the nation.

    Oyegbami spoke last Thursday in a parley with newsmen ahead of the national peace prayer conference organised by the organisation.

    The conference holds on October 25 at the Trinity House Auditorium, Victoria Island Lagos from 9pm.

    She said: “Prayer is the only thing left for us to do. When insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, rituals, ethnic clashes, armed robbery and incessant labour strikes become norms, one can only turn to God.”

    Acknowledging that Nigeria is at the precipice of collapse, Oyegbami said prayers can reverse the slide.

    On if prayer is enough to fix the nation, Oyegbami said prayer is at least a good starting point.

    “We would need to do some many things but we can start with prayers. When we pray, God can tell us what to do,” she stressed.

    She said continuous prayers will ensure that government’s efforts to curb the many challenges facing the nation are successful.

    Speakers expected at the conference include Rev (Mrs.) Mercy Ezekiel, Bishop Bankole Jefferson, Pastor Emmanuel Oshoffa and Rev. David Aboderin, among others.

    Oyegbami assured that the entire will be devoted to ceaseless prayers for the much-needed divine intervention.

  • Tambuwal seeks prayers for peace, security

    Nigerians should pray for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria during Ramadan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said.

    Tambuwal said in accordance with the virtues of the month, Nigerians should increase their worship by abstaining from the physical pleasures of this life, and seek blessings from the Almighty God and sharing with neighbours and the needy.

    Tambuwal said the ideals of service and good governance can only make meaning when those in authority see themselves as leaders with responsibility to serve the people.

    According to him, the Holy Month provides opportunity for Nigerians, especially the Muslim faithful, to rededicate themselves to the pursuit of what is just and right.

    “Unless and until we insist on what is right for the overall good of our people, our quest for good governance and its derivatives may remain elusive to us a nation,” Tambuwal said.

    He urged Nigerians to dedicate their time to of worship in order to enjoy favour from God.

    “We must use this Holy period to love one another, sacrifice for the overall growth and development of the nation, and cooperate with constituted authorities for the attainment of our national goals,” he said.

     

  • ‘She stood by me with prayers’

    The wedding of Khadija Oluwafunmilola Rajee-Adenowo and her beau Sulaiman Omotayo Adaranijo was held in Ikorodu Club, Ikorodu in Lagos.

    Khadija and Sulaiman appeared in native attire. The bride wore iro and buba; the groom was in brown sokoto and buba with a pair of shoes to match.

    The bride studied Sociology at the National Open University(NOUN); Sulaiman graduated from the Lagos State Polytechnic(LASPOTECH).

    Chief Imam and National Missioner of the Islamic League of Nigeria, Alhaji Rajee Sulaiman officiated at the wedding.

    The couple answered: ‘Yes I do’ when the minister asked them if their decision to marry each other was unanimous.

    Earlier, the two families gathered for the introduction and engagement. During the event, the bride was asked to sit on her parents laps for prayers of success in her matrimonial home. Tears flowed freely from her eyes as her parents prayed for her.

    The reception was anchored by Toyin Kawojue of the Lagos Television (LTV).

    It was chaired by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Segun Ogunlewe, who was represented by Mr Folarin Adediran.

    He urged the couple to let love reign in their home. He said they should not allow third party in their affairs.

    He also supervised the cutting of the cake.

    Couple;s feeding of each other followed.

    The groom said the day would remain memorable to him. “It is a very grateful day for me. It is a day that will be in my record forever, I thank God, my father-in-law and others for their support,” he said.

    He described his wife as prayerful.

    “She has stood by me with prayers. I always see the impact of her efforts and prayers in my life,” he said.

    The bride said her wedding was the best thing to happen to her.

    “It is the best thing to happen to me in life. I am very grateful to Almighty Allah for making my day successful,” she said.

    She described her husband as a humble, handsome and caring man.

    Their parents prayed for their conjugal bliss and wisheded them a happy married life.

    The day became livelier as all took to the dancing floor to joy the couple and rejoice with them.

  • I believe in prayers, says Governor Amaechi

    I believe in prayers, says Governor Amaechi

    Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi yesterday affirmed his belief in the efficacy of prayers.

    He said prayers saw him through difficult times in the past.

    Amaechi spoke at the weekend when the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Rt. Rev. Camillus Etokudoh led over 100 priests at a prayer session at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

    Amaechi said: “I believe in the Power of Prayers. If you look at my political history, you cannot divorce God and prayers from my political history, if you remember how I became speaker, it was through prayers. Before I became speaker, I was already married to my wife (Dame Judith Amaechi) and she knew how we prayed and fasted together to be speaker. You know the story of the governorship race. What I ask God is that, why should I go through crisis like this all the time, why are people not honest in life?”, Amaechi said.

    Amaechi also vowed that his administration will hinge on his vision of sustaining integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance to deliver dividends of democracy to Rivers people.

    “When I’m asked a question, people expect me to tell a lie or bend it a bit, and suddenly it comes out straight. And when it comes out straight, people don’t like it. And my Catholic Priest told me that it is only me that will account for my soul before God, not even my wife will help me to account for my soul. So if because of you, I bend it a bit, how will I answer to my God?”

    He commended the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt for their solidarity and promised to deliver on his promise to God and man and described the activities of his political opponents as a calculated distraction against his government, urging members of the state Executive council to remain focused in service delivery to the people of the state.

    “The Solidarity you have shown to me and my wife today, we can only take it to God. We thank God for your presence here. One promise I will make to you is that I will continue to deliver on my promise to God and man, that they can’t take away from us. They are just trying to distract us. You know, usually governors begin well and sometimes end badly. If you allow them to distract us, we will end badly. So don’t you ever listen to any body, they can’t do anything, know that God is behind us”, Amaechi stated.

    Worried by the recent power problems in the state, Governor Amaechi said, steady power supply to Rivers people is one of the main target his administration hopes to achieve before leaving office in 2015.

    “the reason why we have total disconnection of power is that the transmission line which brings power belong to the PHCN is bad, so, the directive I gave to the commissioner of power is that, we will look for money and do our state grid, so that, we don’t hear any longer that the transmission line is bad. PHCN is trying to fix the transmission line, and once they fix it, power will improve. But while they are doing that, we have decided that between now, July and August, we will do our own state transmission line, at least around Port Harcourt, so that we can transmit our own power directly from our own transmission line”, Amaechi explained.

    On Education, Governor Amaechi pointed out that, he had directed the commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Nemi to acquire land in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor metropolis to commence the building of 40 new model primary schools.

    On roads, Amaechi said, his administration will soon complete the Odili road extension to link the East-West road and will temporarily be open to the people of Woji, Elelenwo, Akpajo, and those coming from the Ogoni axis between July and December this year.

    “I think, we have done well in the area of roads. When his lordship talks about being proud of us as Catholics, I assure you that, when we leave office, you will be proud of us”, Amaechi said.